SOLID CONCEPTS TO DEMONSTRATE NEW CAD INTERFACES AT COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CONFERENCE

New CAD Interfaces Support Direct Viewing of CATIA, Pro/ENGINEER, SolidWorks, and Unigraphics Data in SolidView

VALENCIA, CA - August 30, 1999-Solid Concepts Inc. announced today that they will be demonstrating several new direct CAD interfaces at the Computer Technology Solutions Exhibition and Conference, being held September 14-16, 1999, at Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. These new CAD interfaces will allow non-CAD users to directly view, measure, and markup native CAD part and assembly data on their PCs. Leading manufacturers around the world use the SolidView family of products to make 3D CAD data available to non-CAD users. The new CAD interfaces will enable CATIA, Pro/ENGINEER, SolidWorks, and Unigraphics data to be directly viewed and measured in SolidView. With the unique publishing feature of SolidView, users can create Solid File eXchange (SFX) files from the CAD data to make the 3D information available to everyone using Solid Concepts' free SolidView/Lite software. . The SFX file format, developed by Solid Concepts, is a compact data structure that enables the easy exchange of 2D and 3D CAD data for design collaboration. Unlike other formats, such as VRML or STL, SFX files are highly compact and may contain various security options to protect selected design features. Typical users of SolidView products include purchasing managers, QA inspectors, sales people, shop floor personnel, third-party suppliers, or just about anyone who would normally use 2D drawings to evaluate CAD designs.

"With these new interfaces, manufacturers will find it even easier to reduce or eliminate 2D drawings from their manufacturing operations", said Joe Allison, president of Solid Concepts.

"Previously, engineering organizations were required to create highly detailed 2D drawings in an effort to fully document complex 3D parts and assemblies. Despite their efforts, the resulting drawings were often incomplete or difficult to interpret, which meant that someone had to go back to engineering to clarify the drawing, adding additional time and expense to the product development process. With these new interfaces, SolidView/Pro users can directly read the native CAD data, eliminating the need to go back to engineering", explained Allison.

In addition to the new CAD interfaces, SolidView/Pro also has options for importing IGES and VDA data. Visitors to Solid Concepts' Booth, #2348, will receive a free SolidView CD-ROM which contains full function copies of SolidView/Pro, SolidView, and SolidView/Lite.

About Solid Concepts Inc.

Solid Concepts Inc. is a supplier of rapid prototyping and direct digital manufacturing services. Founded in 1991, Solid Concepts is a five-facility, multiple technology company known to be a solutions provider with project management and engineering expertise. Capabilities in Stereolithography (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Advanced Cast Urethanes, CNC and FRP rapid prototypes and custom manufactured parts allows for low-volume production of plastic, urethane, and metal components directly from design data, resulting in significant time and cost savings. Tooling and Molding capabilities bring customer projects through to completion. ISO 9001 and AS9100 certifications.

SolidView® is a registered trademark of Solid Concepts Inc. Other names are property of their respective owners.

• SolidView
  SolidView® software allows you to view, rotate, measure and communicate design intent with non-CAD users—starting with our free 3D CAD viewer—SolidView/Lite.
• SLA & PolyJet
  SLA® & PolyJet™ provide accurate concept models and master patterns in record time. Complete in-house finishing capability for production-like prototypes.
• SLS
  SLS® (selective laser sintering) produces rugged Nylon 11 and Nylon 12 prototype and production parts and is ideally suited for Direct Digital Manufacturing.
• FDM
  FDM (fused deposition modeling) produces both prototype and production parts from ABS plastic, polycarbonate, and Ultem materials.
• CNC
  CNC prototypes, parts and master patterns are ideal in applications where the material property or size requirements make other prototyping techniques unsuitable.
• Cast Urethane
  Cast Urethane (a proprietary advanced casting technology and advanced formula polymers) produce strong pre-production and short-run production components.
• Composites
  Composites (fiber reinforced plastic) technology produces large, rigid, accurate panels with excellent strength-to-weight ratio and surface finish. Chose between CompositeCast™, Hand Lay-up FPR and VARTM.
• Tooling
  Tooling from Solid Concepts provides quick-turn tooling options for Chinese tooling & production, export tooling from China, and domestic tooling, all with domestic project management.
• Molding
  Injection Molding from Solid Concepts brings you the best of both worlds by providing Chinese pricing and lead times along with Solid Concepts quality and domestic project management.